Heavy rain triggers flood in Cox's Bazar

Cox's Bazar, Aug 01: As many as 250 villages of the district have been flooded by rainwater in the last couple of days, leaving about 0.3 million (3 lakh) people marooned.

Local people fear that incessant rain may also trigger landslides in the district.

The Matamuhuri, Bakankhali and Rejukhali rivers are flowing above the danger level. These rivers and canals hit the embankments and water was entering localities. The residents of the flood-affected areas are facing acute shortages of pure water and food. At least 0.3 million people of 250 villages of Cox's Bazar Sadar, Chakaria, Pekua, Ramu, Teknaf and Ukhia upazilas have got stranded in the floodwater. Ukhia is the worst flood-hit upazila of the district. There is a risk of landslides due to heavy rain in these areas.

Thousands of people have become homeless due to the rain-triggered flooding.

There is a severe shortage of food in many homes. Many people are starving since Tuesday.

Relief materials have not reached the flood-affected areas till Thursday noon.

Flood victims said, "We have been trapped in water since last night. A lot of furniture in the house was damaged due to water stagnancy in houses."

"There is a shortage of pure drinking water. Till now, there is no assistance from the government."

Mostafa Sarwar, a resident of Cox's Bazar municipality area, said eight villages, including Kutubdiapara, Fadnardale, Mostakpara and Nazirertek, are submerged by floodwater. Various roads and sub-roads of Cox's Bazar town were flooded. A lot of furniture and shop goods are getting destroyed.

Abdul Hannan, an assistant meteorologist of Cox's Bazar Meteorological Department, said this time there has been a record rain in the district. Heavy-to-very heavy rainfall is likely for the next few days.

The meteorologist feared landslides in the hilly areas of the district.

Alamgir Chowdhury, mayor of Chakaria municipality area, said the embankment has broken at least 10 points of the Matamuhuri due to the landslide.

Due to the riverbank erosions, the floodwater was entering localities with new areas being flooded. Ukhia Upazila Parishad Chairman Jahangir Kabir Chowdhury said one and a half lakh people of over 100 villages of the upazila have got stranded due to the floods.

Cox's Bazar Municipal Mayor Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury said waterlogging is the biggest problem in this tourist town.

"We've already started the rescue work by demolishing the structures built by freeing canals and sewers.

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